APRIL 9, 2019

We’re on Season 17 of “American Idol”, and something happened last night that’s NEVER happened before: RYAN SEACREST didn’t host.  He got sick.

 

FELICITY HUFFMAN was among 13 wealthy parents who pleaded GUILTY yesterday for their part in the college admissions scandal. Her husband WILLIAM H. MACY was never charged. Felicity admitted to paying $15,000 to give her daughter extra help on her SATs.  She issued a statement yesterday saying her daughter, “knew absolutely nothing about” the cheating. But she did fully apologize.  “I am in full acceptance of my guilt, and with deep regret and shame over what I have done, I accept full responsibility for my actions and will accept the consequences that stem from those actions.” She added that she’s ASHAMED of what she did, and the pain it caused her daughter, her family, and her friends. And she apologized to “the students who work hard every day to get into college, and to their parents who make tremendous sacrifices to support their children and do so honestly.” LORI LOUGHLIN and her husband did NOT plead guilty yesterday.  There’s still no word if they’re going to.

 

KEITH URBAN was as surprised as anyone when he won Entertainer of the Year at Sunday’s ACMs. It was his ninth nomination in that category and he’d lost every other time so he was sure it would never happen. “[At] some point I came to terms and accepted that the nomination is the award.  I don’t know how things go that way sometimes.  I love what I get to do and put everything into it, and I know all the others do to, so thank you God.” He was still walking on air backstage when he and NICOLE KIDMAN posted a video online.  He thanked his fans, the ACMs, and country radio.  Nicole said, “Country music, you have been so good to my husband, to me.  We’re so grateful.” And then he wrapped it up with, “Country is thriving and exploding all over the globe.  It’s because it’s a beautiful, big, rich tapestry of so many things.  And I’m so grateful to be part of it.  Thank you.  I love you guys.  God Bless.”

 

It’s kind of hard to make noise at the ACMs when you’re not one of the winners, but COLE SWINDELL did because of his date, Barbie Blank. Or as WWE fans know her, Kelly Kelly – and they’re a couple. They’ve been together since at least back in February.  Barbie has been a wrestler on and off since 2006.  She was in the reality show “WAGS LA” when she was married to NHL player Sheldon Souray.  They separated in 2017.  She also did an episode of “Days of Our Lives”.

 

OPRAH is donating $2 million to help revitalize Puerto Rico’s arts and cultural programs after the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.

 

KELLY CLARKSON posted a great Tweet after Sunday’s ACMs. She wrote, “The greatest thing by far that happened to me tonight was being asked to move because some guy thought I was a seat filler.  Literally, it made my night because he was so serious, and I just politely said no.  Ha-ha-ha.”

 

There’s a new movie in the works that claims O.J. SIMPSON is innocent, and will reveal NICOLE BROWN’s real killer.

 

 

Following Kathie Lee Gifford‘s departure from NBC, Jenna Bush Hager made her debut as co-host of the 10 o’clock hour of the Today show alongside Hoda Kotb Monday. In celebration of the milestone, Kotb presented her new co-host with a special gift courtesy of a fan: name-engraved glasses filled with white wine. Jenna also watched surprise video messages from dad George W. Bush, mom Laura Bush and mother-in-law Margaret Hager, prompting a stream of tears. The praise continued on in the form of a sweet video featuring congratulations from Bush Hager’s sister Barbara and husband Henry Hager, as well as NBC colleagues and high school and college friends. Bush Hager was then surprised with an adorable appearance from Henry and their daughters Mila, 5, and Poppy, 3, who came on stage in matching dresses holding roses for their mom.

 

BROOKS & DUNN released a video of their “Brand New Man” duet with LUKE COMBS. It’s behind-the-scenes stuff of them in the recording studio with tech people and other musicians.  Luke reads the lyrics off of his phone.

 

DARIUS RUCKER’s “10th Annual Darius and Friends” concert is going down June 3rd in Nashville. The lineup will be announced soon.  Proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  “I love seeing my friends come together to support St. Jude and the amazing work they’re doing for families.”

 

CHRIS JANSON is a hometown hero . . . and that hometown is Perryville, Missouri. He posted a photo of the sign they put up in his honor that reads, “Home of Grand Ole Opry Member, Chris Janson.”  He wrote, “A big thanks to everyone from Perryville who’ve stood in my corner for my whole 33 years of being alive.”

 

“Meghan & Harry: A Royal Baby Story” at 8:00 p.m. on TLC.

“Jimmy Fallon” – Brooks & Dunn featuring Midland.

“Stephen Colbert” – Oscar the Grouch.

 

Kristen Stewart is 29.             Keshia Knight Pulliam is 40.                             Cynthia Nixon is 53.

Dennis Quaid is 65.                 Hal Ketchum is 66.

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